Train-pipe coupling.



J. SHURLOWK; 0. AOKER.

TRAIN PIPE GOUPLING. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1914.

1,1 16,940. Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

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J. SHURLOW 1; 0. AOKER.

TRAIN PIPE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1914.

Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

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- train pipe couplers and has for its primary uivirnn STATES "rarnnrorrion JAMES sHUnLow, or AUGUSTA, AND o'r'ro aoKEn, or BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

TRAIN-PIPE COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Nov, 10 1914,

Application filed June 1, 1914. Serial No. 842,262

Michigan, and at Battle 'Creek, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Train-Pipe Couplers; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in object to provide simple and 'efficient means whereby the coupling members are guarded against injury at all times. I A secondary. object of the invention is to provide a yielding support for the coupler whereby a lateral swinging movement thereof is freely allowed.

A- still further object of the invention is to construct the entire device in the most simple and inexpensive manner consistent with its proper operation. I

With these objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction and combination herein described and claimed and shown in the drawings wherein; M

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a coupler constructed in accordance with our inven tion; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through a coupler carried by one car and showing a coupler carried by an adjacent car, partly in section, the two couplers being in position to be coupled; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the positioning of parts when the two coupling members are brought into contact; Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken along the plane of the line H of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken along the plane of the line 55 of Fig. 8.

In constructing our improved couplers,

the construction and the positioning of parts is identical on the coupler carried by each car and we will therefore describe but one of such couplers.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown our: invention as comprising a cylinder 1 carried by the outer end of an air or steam pipe 2, a yielding support 3 for said pipe, a plunger 4 slidable within the cylinder 1 and normally projected beyond the outer end thereof, a coupling member 5 carried by the outer end of the plunger 4, a guard'sleeve 6 slidable upon the cylinder 1 and inclosing the coupling member 5 and a coil spring 7 for normally projecting said sleeve 6. y,- i

The cylinder 1 is provided, at its outer end, with an annular internal shoulder 8 which is adapted to limit the outward movement of the hollow plunger a which latter, c is provided with an annular external shoulder 9 adapted to be normally forced into contact with theshoulder 8 by means of a coil spring 10'which is interposed between the inner end of the plunger 4 and the inner end of the cylinder 1, said inner end being in the form of a pipe reducing cou-,

pling 11, a suitable washer 12 being, disposed between the inner end of the coupling and the adjacent end of the spring 10. I As most clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the

pipe 2 is connected with the reducer 11 and v extends longitudinally of the coach C to a suitable point (not shown) at which it may be connected to the air brake cylinder (not shown). It is a well known fact that these pipes necessarily have a certain amount of lateral movement as the coaches shift relatively to each other or when rounding curves. on the part of the pipes 2, we have provided a yielding supportv 3. the latter including a substantialy rectangular frame 13 C and has the central portion of itscupper cross bar removed to provide a pair of attaching lugs or ears 14 which arehsecured in contact with the under side of the coach bv means of suitable bolts 15. Extending a through the upright side bars of the frame interposedbetween the side bars of the frame 13 and ears 17, thereby normally forcing the members 18 into contact with the opposite sides of the pipe 2 and yet allowing said pipe to move laterally to the necessary extent.

, The above mentioned coupling member 5 includes a ring 20 which is threaded upon the outer end of the hollow plunger 1 and a In order to allow this movement 90 which is disposed transversely of the'coachy similar ring 21 which is formed of rubber or other suitable yielding material, said last mentioned ring being positioned flush with the outer end of said plunger and being se- 5 cured to the ring 20 by means of screws 22,

rings 21 for obvious reasons.

The guard sleeve 6 preferably has its inner end enlarged internally as indicated at 23,"

10 said enlarged portion being slidably mounted upon the cylinder 1 while the remaining end of said sleeve 6 normally surrounds and ".Tprojects beyond the coupling member 5, thereby protecting the same against injury at all times. As most clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 8, the coil spring 7 bears at its opposite ends against the inner end of the sleeve 6 ifand against an external annular stop 24 which isformed on the inner end of the cylinder l, the tension of said spring thereby acting to normally project the sleeve 6, the outward movement of the latter being lim- "ited by a suitable stop 25,preferably carried by the outer end of the cylinder 1.

In order that the stop 9, which is provided with piston rings 9, contacting with the inner side of the cylinder, may be lubricated and thereby allowed to freely move inwardly against th tension of its spring 10, a suitable oil cup 2 is provided at a suitable point, said cup being here shown as positioned in the pipe 2, from which the oil will :readily flow into the cylinder 1.

With the various parts of the device as above described, its operation is as follows:

Two coaches are coupled in the usual man ner, thus causing the adjacent ends of the sleeves 6, carried by the two coaches, to come in contact thereby retracting said sleeves 40 against the tension of their springs 7 and allowing the resilient rings 21, of the couplers, to contact, the springs 10' compressing upon this operation and serving to retain; said rings 21 in binding contact as long as the two coaches are coupled.

As most clearly seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,

each sleeve 6 is provided with a pair of guide arms 27 which are secured thereto and whose outer ends are curved outwardly, this positioning of the arms serving to guide the sleeves 6 of the two couplers, in a manner which will be clear. which have their heads countersunk in said connection with the accompanying drawmgs,

From the foregoing description taken in it will be seen that we have produced an extremely simple train pipe coupler yet one which will be strong and efficient in operation,and which is Well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed. Particular emphasis is laid upon the provision of the guard sleeve 6 and its positioning in respect to the coupling members 5 and also upon the construction and positioning of the yielding support 8, since these features are extremely important in the successful operation of the device.

WVe have described our invention with considerable minuteness but we do not wish to be limited to details other than those amplilied in the appended claim.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is r A train pipe coupler comprising a supported cylinder having a pipe leading therefrom, an external stop on said cylinder, a hollow plunger slidable in the cylinder and projecting beyond one end thereof, a spring for projecting said plunger, a coupling member on the outer end of the latter, a guard sleeve slidable upon the cylinder, projecting therefrom and surrounding said coupling member and a spring encircling said cylinder and bearing against the stop thereon and against said sleeve, whereby the latter is projected.

, In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES SHURLOW. OTTO ACKER. Witnesses:

JOHN C. DAVIS, HOWARD W. CAVANAGH.

(loplel of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G." 

